UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the international community's failure to advance a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is spurring governments and parliaments to take action to recognize the state of Palestine.
Ban was speaking on November 24 at a UN commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas, in a statement read at the commemoration, welcomed changes in popular sentiment in the West that have reached "official political levels."
He cited Sweden's recognition of the state of Palestine, overwhelming support for recognition by parliaments in Britain, Ireland and Spain, and upcoming votes in France and other European countries.
Israel's UN Ambassador Ron Prosor told the General Assembly the actions by European parliaments were taking away any incentive for the Palestinians to negotiate, compromise, or renounce violence.
!["You whose slogan is negotiation, expect [to end up] in Farah's swimming pool," the sign, widely shared on social media, said.](https://gdb.rferl.org/AFDC886E-7E07-4F39-ADE4-E05FCF9DC86A_cx0_cy9_cw0_w100_r1.jpg)
!["You whose slogan is negotiation, expect [to end up] in Farah's swimming pool," the sign, widely shared on social media, said.](https://gdb.rferl.org/AFDC886E-7E07-4F39-ADE4-E05FCF9DC86A_cx0_cy9_cw0_w33_r1.jpg)
